Had my new C7 Convertible for 1 week. Love it. The electronics are impressive and complex. One area that could use help. The "locked" Valet screen - once locked - keeps the screen on the code keypad screen. A "Valet" would look at that lock code screen and probably realize that something of value and could easily go thru the screen. It would be better if you could navigate to some other screen. That would be much less obvious. Software update, maybe?

 

This, and I also wish you could pre-program an unlock code and lock the screen with a single push of a button on the home page.

 

I wish they had put the button somewhere discreet so it wouldn't scream open me there might be something valuable inside.

 

Does valet mode limit the engine throttle or RPM at all?

 

The other way of getting around this problem is to never let a valet touch your car... I don't even let a valet park my Suburban, much less the Corvette. If it is a valet only place I'll either not go or see if I can park a couple blocks away.

 

Times 2. Neither my Lexus nor Lola will ever subject me to the worry of "did the valet just carefully park the car or is he joy riding?" A short walk is much easier to tolerate .

 

Page 5-42 of the manual:

Valet Mode
This will lock the infotainment
system, the infotainment controls,
and screen storage location.
To turn Valet Mode on and off, Enter
a four-digit code on the keypad.
Press Enter to go to the
confirmation screen. Re-enter the
four-digit code. Press LOCK to lock
the system. Enter the four-digit code
to unlock the system. Press the
Back screen button to go back to
the previous menu.

 

While I agree with the philosophy of "never let a Valet touch my Vette", still - with all the electronic invasive stuff out there and, on the outside chance that you put something of value in that compartment, and forget it's there - if the service guy, or mechanic, or whomever - has the fob (or some other device) - when the "infotainment" screen lights up, he/she will see the key pad for the code. Even the dumbest person will figure out there is something "behind the curtain". Got to be a better idea for that selection.

 

Problem is - you can only "go back to the previous menu" if the storage location is unlocked. As long as it is locked, the screen stays with the key pad entry code option. Not good.

 

Are you guys really worried about a valet "going through your screen" to get something of value? I mean isn't that sort of obvious, he hands you back the keys to your car and you immediately know. Not exactly the smartest idea in the world for a valet.

 

I can't imagine a valet seeing the screen and thinking there's something valuable behind it then smashing it on a CHANCE that there's something back there. Then all he has to do is park it and smash your window without anyone else or any cameras seeing what happened...

 

As a feature that is designed for some purpose, it has potential value. It needs improvement. No one should ever leave anything valuable in a car, right? Then no one would break into a car, right? Really? Geez.

 

Well now you're changing it. You said valet at first. I would have to think that would be the world's dumbest valet to "go through" a screen to potentially get something valuable. I suppose there is a valet out there dumb enough to do just that but I'm also guessing that they have a pretty hefty insurance policy. Also you'd probably get struck by lightning first.

Personally, I would never keep a firearm or anything valuable behind a valet screen and hope that it will work like I wish it to. Having been a prosecutor and now a defense attorney I can tell you without hesitation that most car break ins and theft crimes are crimes of opportunity and ease. If you leave something of value, or perceived value, in your vehicle your chances of having your car broken into by some criminal increase exponentially. By a valet? I've never even heard of such a thing. Most criminals don't want to get caught; a valet going through your screen might as well leave his driver's license in there.

I'd think there have to be more exotic cars in Longboat Key, Florida than a C7 right? In Southern California 70K on a car is a beater! (Almost) I'd rather take my chances a valet stealing something from a locked screen than self parking and having some idiot ding my doors but we all have our own priorities!!

 

Don't take the word "Valet" to literally. Again, the storage concept and location is neat. I own a convertible and have the top down most of the time. I've learned that if someone without a key fob approaches the car - they can lower the screen without needing a key. Again, not the best feature.
Suggestions: Screen in inoperable without the key fob.
Second - Be able to "lock" the screen, but use the radio, nav screen using a different code for the owner's use even tho the compartment is locked.
Just a suggestion.

p.s. Yes, I too was a prosecutor, defense attorney - but so what? Doesn't make one any smarter than the next guy in terms of software suggestions.

 

Why doesn't someone look into the possibility of "moving" the button?!?! that's the simplest solution here. Then we just need a vendor to fab up a plug to fill the hole! hard to know somethings -behind- the screen just because its asking for a password. You would have to know the screen comes down in the first place. Most people working valet are not smart enough to think about a hidden button for a "james bond" style hidden compartment!

 

good idea!

 

And, behind the screen is not a secure place anyway.

 

No question about the "secure" aspect - hardly any place inside a car is really "secure". The use of the word "Valet" is only because that is the term Chevy (GM) used. As has been mentioned before - no one in their right mind would ever let a Valet touch their car - unless they're from California (ha).
Still - the idea of the compartment is good, but needs tweaking. Helpful suggestions might be a good idea. That's all that was intended.

 

Pardon me but where did I imply I was smarter than anyone? I simply used my experience to explain the chances that a valet would smash a screen simply because it said valet is slim to none. If you have the same experience than you know that's 100% correct. Read the first post. I'm from California and will let a valet touch my car, "ha!" I'll also let other people drive my car, double "ha!" Using your logic you must think you're better than me because I do that? Don't make baseless accusations, John.

 

I apologize if I offended anyone. My original intent was two fold. First, to alert owners that this compartment (which is clearly intended to replace the heretofore lockable glovebox) doesn't really lock unless you use the "Valet" feature. I certainly was never recommending nor suggesting that anyone ever use a Valet.
Second - I was hoping to encourage GM (Chevy) to consider changing the features so that it was a little more secure.